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Home Front

Briefs and news of note

By JUDY STARK
Published February 5, 2005

Toast your tootsies

Recent chilly nights might make these welcome: blankets and mattress pads from Sunbeam that sense where the cold spots are and warm up accordingly. If rooms (or your feet!) get colder or warmer, the ThermoFine microwires embedded in the bedding raise or lower their temperature to compensate. The Warming Blankets ($39.99 to $119.99) come in several colors in twin, full, queen and king at JCPenney and Linens 'n Things. The Warming Mattress Pads ($119) are at Dillard's and Sears.

Speaking of bedding: To find out if it's time to replace your pillow, try this. Lay the pillow on a flat, hard surface, fold it in half and squeeze out the air. Then release it. If the pillow unfolds and springs back into its original shape, it has some life left. If it remains folded, it's time to throw it out, the American Chiropractic Association says.

Company's coming and there's no time for major housecleaning. Here are your priorities, based on what clients of cleaning services say they want cleaned above all else. Bathroom: Clean the toilet. Then wipe the toothpaste out of the sink and the water spots off the mirrors, and clean the floors. Kitchen: Wipe down the counter tops, stove tops, sink and floors. Then dust the living room, family room and other areas guests will see. As for the bedrooms, just shut the doors.

The heart holiday will be here in nine days. Turn a room into a valentine with this "True Love" wall covering from Graham & Brown. Textured pale pink hearts line up on a deeper pink background with a metallic sparkle. Powder room? Daughter's room? Double rolls are $19.99. Order toll-free at 1-800-554-0887.

- Compiled from staff and wire reports by Homes editor JUDY STARK

[Last modified February 4, 2005, 11:03:08]